Statistics Canada: Investment in Building Construction, April 2025

The total value of investment in building construction decreased by $741.9 million to $22.3 billion in April. Investment in the residential sector decreased 4.5%, while the non-residential sector edged down 0.3%.

On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of investment in building construction in April decreased 3.3% from the previous month and was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Multi-unit component leads residential construction decline

Investment in residential building construction declined by $723.0 million to $15.5 billion in April. This decrease was primarily driven by the multi-unit component (-$441.1 million to $8.7 billion), with smaller losses in the single-family component (-$281.9 million to $6.8 billion).

In April, Ontario (-$410.3 million) led the national decrease in the multi-unit component, with declines recorded in six provinces and all the territories. Meanwhile, British Columbia (+$69.3 million) led the increases in the remaining provinces.

Ontario (-$181.0 million) and Alberta (-$121.4 million) led the national decline in single-family home construction in April.

Non-residential investment declines slightly

The value of non-residential investment in building construction edged down by $18.9 million to $6.8 billion in April. Decreases in the commercial (-1.0%) and industrial (-0.8%) components were mitigated by gains in the institutional component (+1.3%).

The commercial sector declined by $33.6 million to $3.3 billion in April. Decreases were recorded in seven provinces and two territories, led by Ontario (-$23.2 million).

Investment in the industrial sector decreased $11.1 million to $1.4 billion in April. Quebec (-$6.1 million) led the decline.

Meanwhile, the institutional component grew by $25.8 million to $2.1 billion. Gains were observed in seven provinces and two territories, led by Alberta (+$13.1 million). Quebec (-$12.7 million) led the decreases observed in the remaining provinces and territory.

For more information on construction, please visit the Construction statistics portal.

For more information on housing, please visit the Housing statistics portal.

Note to readers

Table 34-10-0286 has been archived on the Statistics Canada website and will no longer be updated but may still be viewed. The successor table is 34-10-0293, and the information from January 2017 onwards that was in table 34-10-0286 is still available in the new table, except for the constant dollar series, which has been rebased to 2023=100. Constant dollar data for January and February 2017 represent an average between the old base year (2012=100) and the new base year (2023=100) and should be used with caution.

Data are subject to revisions based on late responses, delayed construction start dates for large projects, methodological changes, classification updates, price index updates for constant dollar series, benchmarking and adjustments to ad hoc macroeconomic events. Unadjusted data have been revised back to January 2017. Seasonally adjusted data have been revised back to January 2017.

Data presented in this release are seasonally adjusted with current dollar values unless otherwise stated. Using seasonally adjusted data allows month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter comparisons by removing the effects of seasonal variations. For information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data—Frequently asked questions.

Monthly estimates for constant dollars are calculated using quarterly deflators from the Building Construction Price Index (18-10-0276-01). The monthly indexes used for the deflation process were part of a methodology review to increase the quality of the constant dollar and seasonally adjusted series. The indexes previously displayed a step pattern because of less frequent collection.

Detailed data on investment activity by type of building and type of work are now available in the unadjusted current dollar series.

The trade and services subcomponent includes buildings such as retail and wholesale outlets, retail complexes and motor vehicle show rooms. More detailed information can be found on the Integrated Metadatabase at Types of Building Structure – 2.2.1 – Trade and services.

Next release

Data on investment in building construction for May will be released on July 18.

Source: Statistics Canada